December 19th

     Yesterday was December 19th and a busy day at our house leaving us many things to be thankful for.

     Yesterday was the annual meeting at Marvin Windows where I work  I brought my Wife and 4 youngest to the meeting and we enjoyed refreshments, entertainment and some encouraging messages.  From the meeting I can give several things for which to be thankful.

• For Marvin Windows and their dedication to the community and families
• For the refreshments of donuts, sandwiches, cookies, water, cider, coffee and pop
• For the fact that the open the meeting with prayer
• For the door prizes they gave away - no I didn't get one but I know some of those who did
• For the Christmas Ham We received
• For the Bonus we recieved
• For the visiting that took place

     22 years ago yesterday was the first annual meeting that I could have attended but on that year I skipped out to walk down the aisle with my lovely bride who has now been my wife for 22 years and for that I am very thankful.  Being, it was our anniversary, my wife started a fire in the fireplace to enjoy and while we do not use the fireplace often, we can be thankful we have one for such special moments.

     Yesterday also marked the beginning of four days of dog sitting two little dogs for friends, friends we are thankful for and we can also be thankful that we are able to help.  The kids are enjoying playing with the dogs.

     Seeing how Christmas will soon be here, yesterday also brought a box full of gifts to be wrapped for Christmas along with some shopping for Christmas.  I've always enjoyed giving at Christmas and often wish I could give more but for what I am able to give I am thankful.

Family

     Here's something new for me to be thankful for - My future son-in-law.  My oldest daughter got engaged on Dec. 4th 2014.

MAY EVERYONE HAVE A VERY GRATEFUL THANKSGIVING.

Taking First

     It has been nearly a month since I last posted on this blog.  It's not because I have not been thankful, but too busy to take time to post.  Over the last month our home school soccer team has taken much of my free time along with hosting a camp out and working with out local AWANA club.

     Soccer season is now coming to a close (we have a wrap up meeting left) and it has been an awesome year.  I say that because our Junior team took first place for the first time in 10 years.  The entire soccer season was a great year even though our record was 2-4 for all of our seasonal games were decided by one goal, twice in a shoot out after the game was over.

     Yes, I am thankful for winning the tournament but I am also thankful for each of the kids on the team, for each of my assistant coaches, for my wife and kids who had to put up with me during the soccer season, for the field to play on and for each of the other teams that we were able to play against and make friends with.

     So, What have you been thankful for lately?

Busy With The Kids

     The past few days I have been busy with the kids and with that business comes reasons to be thankful.

On Friday

• Safe trip to and from Thief River for a soccer game.
• For the kids who played hard
• For a great game even though we lost by 1 goal
• For the team we had to play against
• For the shopping that took place

On Saturday

• For the Kids Day at the local sporting goods store and all those who made it possible
• For the great kids in the group I chaperoned
• For the prizes that were given away
• For the time spent with my daughters
• For the corn maze and the nearly 5 hours we spent there after kids day.

On Sunday

• The big turkey meal that drove my nose crazy with delightful smells.
• for the turkey itself which was given to us and for the one who gave it to us.

Soccer

     Today was the first soccer game of the season and yes the junior team won and for that I am thankful but even if we had lost I can still find things to be thankful for. 

• I am thankful for each of the kids on the team
• I am thankful for my assistant coaches
• I am thankful for the ref and line judges
• I am thankful for the other team and their coach and all the effort they put into the game.
• I am thankful that the weather was nice during the game
• I am thankful for the field we have to play on and those who take care of it 

     What are you thankful for today?

Music and an Uncle

     This past weekend was the Itasca Family Music Festival.  My wife and youngest four kids went and enjoyed a weekend of great music.  During the week before and after I heard of various other music gathering that made me very thankful for this one.  As they talked of how rowdy and drunk people would get at other festival I was reminded just how wonderful this one is, where you can let a seven year old run around the grounds and not have to worry.  The festival leaves much to be thankful for.

• For great music
• For friends and other that are met
• For the food
• For those who work behind the scenes to make everything possible
• That kids can run around safely
• That it is not expensive
• That the weather was great.
• For the miniature train rides

     This past weekend was also my wife's uncle's memorial service. This meant that most of the day Saturday she was gone as the service was about 4 hours away.  She was able to make it down and back safely with the three youngest girls.  This leaves more to be thankful for

• For safety on the roads
• For having a chance to know her uncle
• For the rest of her family - and cousins that the girls got to play with.
• For the donuts she brought back for breakfast

      What have you had to be thankful for lately?